My love of nature. Since I was a child I have loved the woods, hiking and gardening. Photography is a great way to “bring back” what you see. I especially love macro and close-up photography, seeing and documenting the small things that we normally pass by in our hurried lives.

2 What do you like photographing better, flora or fauna?

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Definitely flowers, I also love to garden, so the growing and photographing of flowers goes hand in hand.

3 Do you venture out to purposely get nature photographs, or do you bring your camera with you in case there’s something worth shooting?

I think every photographer has memories of the “shots that got away,” the things we have seen and not had a camera with us. So you just never leave home without a camera! Even when walking the dog I have one with me. The Max Mutt has learned to freeze when I lift up the camera and to not move until I put it down. I am also trying to schedule a morning a week to just get out and do photography. The more time you spend at it, the better skills you develop.

4 Is there a best time of day to get photos?

Light is better in the morning and the late afternoon/evening — it has a softer aspect, causes less shadows and contrast and has a golden tone to it. Midday light can be very harsh, unless it is a cloudy day. There are ways to get around that harsh light and we will discuss that at the workshop.

5 Any tips for budding nature photographers?

Come to the Saratoga PLAN photography workshop Saturday, June 21. The workshop will be at the Orra Phelps Preserve in Wilton. Go to www.saratogaplan.org for directions. We will be covering the areas of composition, lighting, how and when to shoot in manual mode, some “tricks of the trade,” and there will be practice assignments to help participants learn photography skills. My other tip is to remember that the most important part of the camera is the 6 or so inches behind that camera — the brain and vision of the photographer. It is the photographer, not the camera that takes the shot. Learn how your camera “sees” and learn how to make it do what you want it to. Then just practice.

If you know an interesting person for the Five Questions feature, email news@saratogian.com or call 583-8729, ext. 217. Past profiles can be viewed at saratogian.com by searching for “5Q”.